Police from the 115th Precinct released surveillance footage revealing a suspect in an attempted rape in East Elmhurst appearing to carry a handkerchief allegedly used to subdue his victim.
The NYPD shared the chilling video early Sunday morning, showing the man walking calmly down a sidewalk while folding the cloth, moments after he reportedly used it to smother the woman’s cries for help.
Law enforcement sources said the attack occurred around 5:45 a.m. on Friday in an alleyway near a home on the 3100 block of 94th Street.
The victim, a 32-year-old woman, was taking a shortcut home after a late-night work shift when the suspect allegedly followed her.
Police said the man approached her from behind, wrapped the handkerchief around her mouth, and threatened to kill her if she resisted. He pushed her to the ground and began removing her pants and undergarments.
A nearby resident heard the woman’s screams and looked out their window, alarmed by the commotion. The victim reportedly shouted in Spanish that she had children, prompting the Good Samaritan to act.
The intervention forced the suspect to flee, leaving the victim partially undressed. She was rushed to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
The suspect, who remains at large, was last seen wearing a beige coat and blue pants. The NYPD’s Queens Special Victims Squad is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the attempted rape or the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
